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“You’re mistaken, DS Warwick,” said Lamont firmly. “It was empty, as DC Roycroft will confirm.”
Jackie gave a perfunctory nod, but didn’t speak.
“Perhaps Marlboro Man is not the only person hoping to spend a long holiday somewhere warm,” said William, unable to restrain himself any longer.
“Watch your tongue, laddie!” barked Lamont. “I’ve already told you, there was nothing in the third bag, so just leave it at that.”
“Gentlemen, gentlemen,” said the commander. “This is not the way colleagues should behave after such a triumph.”
“Unless one of us has behaved as badly as the criminals,” said William, looking directly at Lamont.
The superintendent rose from his place, clenched his fist, and leaned threateningly across the table just as there was a knock at the door, and the Hawk’s secretary came rushing in.
“Now’s not a good time, Angela,” said the commander.
“It’s just that a Mr. Knox has called from the Fitzmolean to say DS Warwick’s wife has been rushed into hospital.”
William leaped to his feet. “Which hospital?”
“The Chelsea and Westminster.”
“And there was another call I thought you would all want to know about…” But William had already left the office before Angela could pass on the news.
He ran along the corridor, down the stairs, and out onto the street, where he hailed the first taxi he saw.
* * *
A car’s headlights beamed across the water, but only for a brief moment before they were turned off.
The captain gave the command to lower the RIB. Moments later he and a young deckhand climbed into a bobbing motorboat. They began to motor toward the shore, the navigator guiding them toward a narrow inlet—not for the first time—as the captain scanned the water to spot anything that shouldn’t be there. A couple of seagulls squawked above them, clearly enjoying their company, while a flock of sheep on a nearby hill showed no interest.
And then he saw him standing on the beach.
The captain changed direction and headed for the shore.
* * *
“Where to, guv?”
“The Chelsea and Westminster hospital,” said William. “And I’m already late.”
Even Danny would have been impressed by the side streets and back-doubles the cab driver took to get his passenger to the hospital in the shortest possible time.
“Going to have a baby, are we?” said the cabbie, as William handed him a
five-pound note.
“Two in fact. How did you guess?”
“‘I’m already late’ was the first clue, and then the expression on your face clinched it.”
William was about to say “keep the change” when the cabbie handed the note back to him and said, “Have this one on me, guv. And if you know anyone who was involved in catching those bastards last night, pass on my congratulations.”
“Will do,” said William, before rushing into the hospital and heading straight for the front desk.
“Warwick, Beth Warwick,” he said to the woman seated behind the counter. “I’m her husband.”
She checked the screen in front of her and said, “Cavell ward, fourth floor, room three. Good luck!”
